Sport, Sport Rehab and Physio - Turn Your Love of sport into a Career

Sport has previously been considered only as an interest or a hobby in life; something that we do for fun when we’ve finished the day job. However, the idea of a career in sport is now an option that many young people are taking up and it could be right for you.

The London 2012 Effect

It’s hard to believe that it’s been a decade since the London Games and the positive economic impact is still being felt in the East End of London, with hundreds of thousands of new jobs created in the host boroughs since 2012 and an increase in local volunteering and over 1 million visits to the Olympic Park every year^.

In terms of sporting prowess, the Olympic Games before London had brought with them a mixed bag of success. Since London, however, increased awareness and funding for the sport has meant that Team GB’s medal count has remained high as subsequent Games, with a final medal tally of 65 at the Tokyo Games.

With sport now much higher up the UK agenda in terms of resources and spending, that’s great news for Olympic athletes. That’s also superb news for associated sports professionals, such as physiotherapists and sports rehabilitators.

Perfect for Sports Lovers

If you have a real passion for sport and activity, this represents an outstanding opportunity to become a sports professional, rather than a professional sportsperson. At the University of Bolton, our BSc (Hons) Sport Rehabilitation degree is British Association of Sport Rehabilitators (BASRaT) accredited. Turning your love of sport into a career in sports and physical education would see your study time spread across the classroom and laboratory. In terms of practical experience, there may be an opportunity for you to work on real injuries in our Sports & Spinal Injury Clinic and Athlete Development Centre in the £31 million Bolton One.

Bolton One is home to our on-campus sports rehabilitation facilities, including hydrotherapy and swimming pools, rehabilitation suite, strength and conditioning suite, fully-equipped physiology and biomechanics laboratories, and specialist classrooms.

Transforming in Interest into a Salary

As a graduate, there are a number of sports rehabilitation jobs that you could pursue. Organisations you could work with include:

Fitness centres

GP referral schemes

Health clubs

Professional sporting clubs

Rehabilitation units

Sports injury clinics

As well as supporting athletes of all ages, including children, in the immediate treatment of injury, you will also help them through rehabilitation and give them advice and support on the prevention of further injury.

The starting salary for a Graduate Sports Rehabilitator is in the region of £17,000 per year+, although the opportunities for professional advancement, especially within private sports clubs can see a dramatic increase in salary. At Bolton, our sports industry connections are one of our greatest assets and we work with professional athletes, including Olympians, Premiership and Super League rugby clubs. In addition to our sports rehabilitation work, we also have close links with a specialist army mobility rehabilitation centre.

Why Study at Bolton?

Bolton’s sports sciences courses are ranked No.1 for Teaching Quality in the UK*. Our skilled teaching team are highly knowledgeable and well connected within the sports industry, so you will be able to build your network as you study.

Bolton is a friendly and supportive community that encourages inclusivity at every opportunity. Our campus is a friendly community. Come and experience the University of Bolton, in Greater Manchester - #UniAsItShouldBe awaits.

^https://olympics.com/ioc/news/london-2012-a-legacy-that-keeps-giving

+https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/sports-therapist

*The Times and the Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022